Philly authors suggest books that would make great holiday gifts

Solomon Jones, author of The Last Confession, a Philadelphia-based mystery with a supernatural twist, suggests: “Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry is for teens and adults who love The Walking Dead. Set in a zombie-infested America, it focuses on a kid who apprentices as a zombie hunter with his older brother.”

Chuck Wendig, author of the new The Cormorant, the tale of a cantankerous psychic caught in a murder trap, suggests: “I can sell Lauren Beukes’ The Shining Girls to you with three words: time-traveling serial killer.” Isn’t that four words? OK, so Chuck is willing to offer three more: “Incredible horror novel.”

Marie Lamba, author of Drawn, about a teen artist who finds a young man mysteriously appearing in her drawings, suggests: “The Once and Future King, by T.H. White. It takes the reader through King Arthur’s life, from when he was a youth exploring Merlin’s magic, through to the miracles of Lancelot. A rich and deep read.”

Jon McGoran, author of Drift (featured in PW this fall), suggests: “I just finished reading Ship Breaker, by Paolo Bacigalupi, a young-adult novel that looks at a tragic but highly plausible and very recognizable future. On the basis of that one book he has become one of my favorite writers, and I can’t wait to read more of his work.”

Kelly Simmons, author of The Bird House, a family story that features a spirited grandmother, suggests: “I have been raving to anyone who will listen about Colum McCann’s Transatlantic. A beautiful historical novel told in connected stories. Simple language, unforgettable characters.”

E.C. Myers, author of Fair Coin, a fantasy tale about a cosmically strange coin toss, suggests: “I own multiple copies of Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, specifically to lend out to people. It appeals to a broad range of people, including literary types and young adults, and it’s even kind of Christmassy.”